National Republican., 1887-08-26
DEATH OF A NOBLE LADY.

Mrs. Eliza III. Powers, tho President
OF the Florence Nightingale Relief
Assooiation-A Friend OF Sick and
Wounded Soldiers.
Mrs. Eliza Powers, whose death, in thu
s5th year Of her age, occurred in this city
last Wednesday, was highly educated, re-
fined lady, and one OF the noblest characters
that ever lived. Her entire life was spent
in doing good. She sacrificed her own com
fort, health, and fortune while periodically
serving her country during the war Of the
rebellion, and she suffered from exposures
and privations to degree unsurpassed by
the gallant soldiers for whose relief and wei.
fare she did so much.
In partial recognition OF her valuable
patriotic services Congress In 1884 passed
a bill to reimburse Mrs. Powers for the
amount Of her own money which she act
ually expended while caring for the sick
and wounded soldiers. The report Of the
Senate committee on claims in her case
says "From Apr. 90, 1861, to Aug. IA, 1864,
che devoted her time, energy, influence,
and means to the service OF the Union
soldiers, and for the success Of the Union
cause, caring for the sick aud wounded
soldiers, collecting and forwarding hospi-
table supplies, and money for their relief min
isteripg to their wants, and relieving their
eufreriDgs In camp, field. and hospitable.
During this whole time abe acted as presi.
dent OF the Florence Nightingale Relief
Association Of Paterson, N. j., and from
November, 1869, to August, 1861, she acted
also as associate manager OF the United
States sanitary commission OF New Jersey,
and In this capacity collected over $1,000 In
money and over 10000 articles for hospital
use. She received no pay or compensation
whatsoever, paying out OF her own means
the cost OF her own transportation and sub.
sistence, besides contributing freely to the
purposes she served to the amount of at
least $500. In October, 1864, she lost by
misfortune her whole property, and for
over year was seriously and dangerously
sick from disease contracted by her exer
tions and exposures In the performance of
her duties"
Many members OF both houses of Con-
gress had interested themselves in behalf of
this venerable lady's bill, which having
passed the Senate, was crowded to the rear
In the House by other measures, and, on
| the last day Of the session In July, 1884
| there seemed to be no reasonable hope OF
| getting her bill passed. Judge Holman, Of
Indiana, was appealed to and at the last
moment, by persistent attempts, he secured
the recognition OF the speaker; then, by
superior tact and thorough knowledge OF
| parliamentary tactics, he silenced the dis
order in the House long enough to enable
him to make strong appeal to the mem
bers, who agreed unanimously and with
| applause, to the passage of this worthy
| measure Of relief. 1t was almost the last
bill that received the signature OF the presi-
| dent OF the Senate, the speaker Of the
| House, and President Arthur on that day.
| Mrs. Powers's death will be mourned by
many OF our citizens. as well as by her
| daughter, Mrs, II. M. Kelley, and her grand
children, Miss Mary G. Kelley and Messrs
George and Howard Kelley. The funeral
will take place tomorrow afternoon at 8
| o'clock